Keep calm and avoid road conflict

Giving other motorists the same courtesy that you would expect to receive yourself is key to avoiding conflict on the road, says Britain's top advanced driver.

Peter Rodger has teamed up with road safety charity the Institute of Advanced Motoring (IAM) to offer advice on how to keep calm behind the wheel.

He stressed it is important to remember the things that other drivers do that annoy you are usually mistakes, not deliberate.

"Even the best drivers make mistakes, so try and cut people some slack when they do so," said Mr Rodger.

If another road user is driving threateningly, try to maintain extra distance between your car and theirs, he added, while pointing out that the horn is there simply to get others' attention and let them know that you are there.

Mr Rodger also recommends setting an example of the road by giving way at busy junctions or allowing traffic to merge into your lane when necessary, as well as planning ahead to put yourself in the best possible position to predict other people's actions and mistakes.

In addition, he said that an oncoming vehicle approaching which still has its full beam on is probably a case of forgetfulness on the part of the driver - so there is no need to retaliate by switching your full beam on.